Is it a good idea not to charge your EV every day? While many do leave their electric car to charge every night, this can have negative effects on the battery's range and lifespan. This article will give you a more specific answer to your concern. We've laid out a detailed guide for this question, read on for everything you need to know!
Is it necessary to fully charge my electric car every day?
One of the biggest reasons that owners of electric vehicles are tempted to charge their cars every night is range anxiety. If your everyday driving is less than 30 km, it's not necessary to charge your car every day. Most electric cars are fitted with a lithium-ion battery, and this kind of battery is sensitive to systematic 100% charging.
While advancements in EV battery technology continue, the repeated cycle of charging and discharging causes lithium-ion batteries to degrade over time. Reducing the number of effective full cycles and the depth of discharge can help slow the degradation of battery capacity.
How often should you charge your EV?
The charging frequency depends on how you use your electric car.
- If your daily commute is on average, you should only need to charge your vehicle every few days. Unless you are planning for long journeys, then it makes absolute sense to charge the battery to its full capacity. Gas car drivers don't refill their tanks daily, it is also not necessary to keep your EV battery topped off every day.
- In general, EV drivers should plan to charge their car when the battery capacity reaches 20% and then fill up to 80%. Many manufacturers would also recommend that EV drivers should follow this 80% rule. It could also be better for your EV battery to prevent the battery cells from degrading quickly.
